Forteau · Southern Labrador · Canada

Your Questions,
Answered

Everything you need to plan a fishing trip or a stay at Labrador Salmon Lodge — from salmon season dates to getting here.

Labrador Salmon Lodge

For fishing: Atlantic salmon season on the Forteau and Pinware rivers runs from late June through to September, with July being widely regarded as the most productive time for angling.

For accommodations and exploring the coast: We welcome travellers year-round. Summer months (June through August) are ideal for icebergs, whale watching, and hiking. Spring and fall offer quieter visits with dramatic scenery.

For guided fishing packages, we recommend booking as early as possible — guided spots fill up quickly, especially for peak salmon season. Accommodations without a fishing package can often be arranged on shorter notice, but we still recommend contacting us well ahead of your travel dates to confirm availability.

Absolutely. Our housekeeping suites and Super Suite (river view) are well-suited for families, with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and living spaces. Beyond fishing, Southern Labrador offers whale watching, the Red Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site, Point Amour Lighthouse, iceberg tours, and coastal hiking — plenty to keep everyone engaged.

The Super Suite accommodates up to 2 adults and 2 children (under 13); additional guests are welcome at a small nightly surcharge.

Yes. Our Classic River Room starts at $135/night and is perfectly suited for a solo visitor. For fishing, we build packages around your group — whether that’s one angler or several. Get in touch and we’ll put together a trip that works for you.

Yes — please let us know of any medical conditions, allergies, or medications at the time of booking. This includes food allergies (particularly relevant for fishing packages where meals are provided), any conditions that may affect physical activity on the water, and any medications you’re carrying that our guides should be aware of in the field.

This information stays with us and helps us make sure your trip is safe and enjoyable from the first day to the last. Email us or mention it when you call — 418-350-6595.

For fishing: sunglasses (preferably polarized), rods (it’s good to pack a spare if possible) & reel, barbless hooks/flies, waders, bug jacket, bug spray, licensing requirements, etc. [Ask your guide for a full equipment list at time of booking.]

For general travel: Labrador weather can shift quickly, even in summer. Layers, warm waterproof outerwear, and good walking shoes are recommended. Bug protection (blackflies and mosquitoes can be active in early summer) is worth bringing.

Medications & health: If you take any regular medications, pack enough for your full stay plus a few extra days. We’re remote — pharmacies are not nearby. Please also let us know in advance of any allergies or medical conditions so we can be prepared on our end.

The Forteau and Pinware rivers are known for Atlantic salmon and sea-run speckled brook trout (aka ‘brookies’). The Pinware is particularly renowned for trophy Atlantic salmon runs. We can also arrange coastal trips for Atlantic cod jigging when conditions allow.

Fishing on the Forteau River, Labrador

Yes. A valid Newfoundland and Labrador fishing license is required to fish the Forteau and Pinware rivers.

Please ask us for details of current regulations at time of booking, as rules are subject to change.

All guided fishing packages include experienced local guides, lodging, and meals. Shore and/or boxed lunches can also be arranged upon request. Our guides have fished the Forteau and Pinware for decades and know every pool and run on both rivers.

Our guide and fishing packages include transportation via boat to the best fishing pools on both rivers. Prepared ‘Boxed’ and ‘Shore Lunch’ options are available to guests upon request.

Package pricing depends on the length of your trip, number of anglers, and which rivers you’d like to fish.

Contact us directly and we’ll put together a custom quote for your group and dates. Email us or call 418-350-6595.

Absolutely. We build packages around your skill level — whether it’s your first cast for Atlantic salmon or your twentieth season on the water. Our guides are patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoy sharing these rivers with first-timers. You don’t need to arrive as an expert. The guides take care of you.

The Forteau River runs right from our doorstep — ideal for convenient access (it’s beside the lodge), mixed species (salmon and sea-run brookies), and for anglers that enjoy a river that’s sometimes less busy/pressured by anglers. For those who experience mobility issues, the Forteau is also a more forgiving river to navigate than the Pinware.

The Pinware River is bigger water with runs of large trophy-sized Atlantic salmon and wilder Labrador scenery. It requires a guided day trip or multi-day expedition, but the experience is exceptional.

Yes — absolutely. Our rooms and suites are open to all travellers, no fishing package required. Whether you’re exploring the Southern Labrador coast, visiting family, or using Forteau as a base for hiking and sightseeing, you’re welcome to book accommodations on their own.

We offer three riverside room types, plus an off-grid private chalet:

Classic River Room — $135/night + tax. 1 queen bed and 1 double bed, private bathroom, microwave, mini fridge, free WiFi.

Housekeeping Suite — $145/night + tax. 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, open-concept living and dining area, free WiFi. Most popular for families and longer stays.

Super Suite with Forteau River View — $165/night + tax. River view, private outdoor gallery, 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, living and dining room. Up to 2 adults + 2 children (under 13); additional guests at $20/adult or $15/child per night.

Off-Grid Private Chalet — a fully private wilderness experience. Contact us for details and pricing.

Meals are included in all-inclusive fishing packages. For nightly accommodations without a package, meals are not included — but our housekeeping suites come with full kitchens, and grocery stores are available in both Forteau and L’Anse-au-Loup. Several excellent nearby restaurants are also within minutes of the lodge, including The Florian Hotel, Northern Light Inn, and Dot’s Bakery.

Our accommodations are open year-round. Guided fishing is seasonal — please contact us to confirm current season dates and availability before planning your trip.

Yes — free WiFi is included in all room types. That said, many guests come here specifically to unplug. Southern Labrador has a way of making it easy to put the phone down.

Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. Cancellations received less than 24 hours in advance will be charged the equivalent of one night’s accommodation, regardless of the total length of your booking.

If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, please contact us as early as possible so we can do our best to accommodate you. Email us or call 418-350-6595.

The closest airport is Blanc-Sablon (YBX), just across the Québec-Labrador border and a short drive from Forteau. Central Mountain Air, Air Liaison and PAL Airlines offer connecting flights through major Canadian airports. Deer Lake (YDF) in Newfoundland is another option, which involves a scenic coastal drive to the Labrador ferry terminal.

Yes. Forteau is reachable by road via the Trans-Labrador Highway, or through the Maritimes using the Marine Atlantic ferry (to Newfoundland) and then the Labrador Marine ferry along the coast. The drive is a genuine Canadian road trip through some of the country’s most dramatic scenery — many guests consider the journey part of the experience.

Trans-Labrador Highway, Southern Labrador

Yes — the Bella Desgagnés is a passenger and cargo ship that travels the entire Québec Lower North Shore to Blanc-Sablon on a weekly schedule, passing through some of the most remote coastal communities in eastern Canada. It’s a voyage in its own right. Check current departure schedules directly with Relais Nordik when planning your route.

[ADD DISTANCES / DRIVE TIMES — from Quebec City, Montreal, Halifax, St. John’s. Include approximate flight times from major hubs to Blanc-Sablon + Details of QC/NF & NF/NS ferry’s]

Still have a question? We’d love to hear from you.

We build every trip around the people on it. Get in touch — by email or phone — and we’ll answer whatever you need to know.

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